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seek proof that John was involved in itand they would seek the proof for treasonable purposes. |
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As if on cue of his thoughts, Vesci stuck his head into the tent. ''Oh, you are here. Arundel's men are forming up." |
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"And so would mine be if I had other than idiots for squires," Ian replied, but his voice was lighter. |
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He was a great fool to worry about Vesci and Leicester. They were competent fighters and, moreover, no one wanted to harm them. The worst that would befall them was the need to pay horse and armor ransom. Ian stepped out of the tent and cocked an ear to the imprecations of a coarse voice. They were saddling one of the gray destriers, and the grooms were obviously having trouble. It was a pity there was no way to place the saddle on the horse with a rider in it. It was also a pity that one could not explain to a horse the difference between a saddle empty because the rider had not yet mounted, or had dismounted voluntarily, and empty because the rider had been hurt or killed. |
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The others had heard the grooms also, and they all moved by one consent to watch. The audience did nothing to calm the horse, and even when the saddle was firm and Ian in it, the creature kicked and bucked for several minutes. By then, fortunately for all concerned, Geoffrey was able, breathlessly, to hold up Ian's battle helmet. There were comments on the advantages and disadvantages of the open style of helmet, and on the use of so finely trained horses, while the men rode off all together in the best of tempers. |
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The field, where most of the participants had arrived already, lifted spirits even higher. The sun glanced back from helmets and from mail-clad arms, winked on the bosses of shields and the metal of the horses' harness. Brilliantly dyed surcoats and brightly painted shields glowed in the clear morning light. The only dull thing was the earth itself, but the slippery, dry grass had mostly been torn away and broken to dust by the previ- |
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